More than a dozen Democratic senators visited the White House this week to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the impact it has had on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and Jack Reed, D-R.I., were joined by their Democratic colleagues for a meeting with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the senators condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and expressed support for funds to immediately replenish Israel's defensive systems. They also called for the White House to provide a detailed plan on how it will support Israel in a way that advances U.S. interests.

The senators emphasized the need for assistance to be consistent with international humanitarian law, the law of armed conflict, and U.S. law. They highlighted that U.S. assistance has never come in the form of a blank check, regardless of the recipient.

The statement was issued as Israel and Hamas agreed to extend a temporary cease-fire for several more days, with the possibility of another extension being negotiated. The temporary truce allowed for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. It also provided an opportunity for humanitarian relief to reach Palestinians in Gaza.

The Democratic lawmakers explicitly condemned Hamas for initiating a terror attack on October 7, which triggered the current conflict. They reiterated their support for Israel's right to defend itself and hold Hamas accountable. In their letter to President Biden, they called for immediate funding to support Israel's efforts to degrade and defeat the threat from Hamas while taking measures to protect civilians.

The senators raised several key issues in their letter, including returning hostages, reducing civilian casualties, delivering humanitarian aid, establishing a plan for post-war governance, and addressing extremist violence in the West Bank. During their meeting with the administration, they had the opportunity to discuss each of these concerns.

While appreciating the leadership shown by the administration in negotiating the temporary ceasefire and allowing humanitarian assistance into Gaza, the senators expressed their grave concern about a resumption of fighting between Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas. They warned that such a resumption could result in a high rate of civilian casualties and deepen the humanitarian crisis.

The Democratic senators also called on President Biden to publicly address his strategy and provide transparent responses to the American people on these matters. The Biden administration has faced criticism for its handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the senators emphasized the need for transparency and clear communication.

As the temporary ceasefire approaches its end, the senators emphasized the importance of ensuring the protection of innocent civilians. They stressed the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying issues and fosters a path towards a lasting peace in the region.

The meeting at the White House reflects the Democratic senators' commitment to engaging in meaningful discussions and advocating for a balanced approach that upholds U.S. interests while promoting stability and security in the Middle East.